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James understood his historic streak of reaching double digits was at risk. In that crucial moment, though, it was not his focus.

The smart move was to pass the rock – and he executed. Following that play, the unprecedented record came to an end.

LeBron's astounding run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader had only eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close triumph versus the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“Zero,” James stated in response on the record concluding. “The important thing is we won.”

A Team-First Play Secures the Game

He might have tried to secure the game – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, and James celebrated with his hands in the air.

You have to play basketball correctly. Always make the right play,” James explained. That is my M.O.. That is the way I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”

He is acutely aware exactly how many points he's scored at all times,” stated the team's head coach JJ Redick. He made the play just as he has so many times.”

The Streak's Closing Chapter

James re-entered the contest for the final time with 5:23 remaining, the result and the streak both hanging in the balance. His tally was six points from 3-of-15 shooting by that point.

He managed a basket with under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a 14-footer at one minute to go which could have gotten him into double figures.

He passed up a subsequent shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves gave James the ball as time wound down, but James chose to dish it off instead.

The basketball deities, when you play it correctly, they will reward you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Run

This incredible run commenced back in January 2007. It was, by far the most extended streak of its kind in professional basketball: His Airness, Michael Jordan had 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run at 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his character as a person, he made the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”

Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the final period. Over the course of the record, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two of those rare single-digit games through three quarters had happened in the last week: He recorded nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, and then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it concluded – yet he was celebrating anyway.

“I always just make the best play. That is instinctive, win, lose or draw,” James said. When you make the unselfish play, the sports deities forever giving back to me.”